The $5 Million Man?

If the latest report pans out, Ron Paul has leaped out of the asterisk box in the GOP campaign. His largely online funding, if verified, would put him on a par with McCain. Money quote:

Observers close to the campaign are revealing  with some astonishment  that donations to the campaign in recent weeks have pushed the total up to perhaps $4 or $5 million. "That's a huge number at this stage," says one observer. "That starts to put him in a position where he can compete  state by state, anyway  with the major candidates."

I'd credit the Internet, wouldn't you? Stay tuned for confirmation. If it holds up, it means he's in this race for a good while yet - which is good for philosophical diversity in the GOP.